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CAREERS IN CONSERVATION – Catherine Kuhn

CAREERS IN CONSERVATION – Catherine Kuhn

CAREERS IN CONSERVATION – Catherine Kuhn

Catherine is the Biodiversity Disclosure Project Manager with the EWT’s National Business and Biodiversity Network. Here is a little bit about Catherine’s journey to a career in conservation.

Job title: NBBN Biodiversity Disclosure Project Manager.

What do you do in your day-day work? A lot of my role involves the administrative and project management side of the work we do with businesses and corporates – guiding them in their quest to align with the global sustainability targets and providing capacity building and awareness around the various projects that we do.

Location: Cape Town.

Where did you grow up? Call me a Southern Suburbs girl, I grew up under the foothills of Table Mountain, Kenilworth, Cape Town.

What are your hobbies/things you like to do in your spare time? Spending as much time as I can in the mountains! On a typical weekend I will be rock climbing with my husband, or hiking, kloofing, trail running, and / or walking the dogs!

Any pets? Yes, my two crazy Jack Russells, Hansel and Lappies! They make me mad on a daily basis, but I love them to absolute bits.

Favourite animal and why: A Cape Dwarf chameleon (Bradypodion pumulim). I grew up with them in my garden and used to always search for them. They are misunderstood, fascinating and beautiful creatures!

Favourite food? Any Indian food, and then of course – Chocolate!

Pet peeve? People who throw their cigarette butts on the ground or out of their car window. Any littering in general!

Why did you want to work for the EWT? EWT has been doing amazing work for many, many years, and has grown so much as an organisation. The diversity in the different projects, the passion that the individuals have to make a positive difference in the world and the potential to grow in this organisation is quite a drawcard.

What excites you about this new position? What excites me the most is the potential for positive environmental change and influence in the business sphere and facilitating the move towards businesses having a positive influence over the protection of biodiversity. And of course, all the learning that will come with that, and the potential for growth for myself in such an important sector.

What are you passionate about? My conservation passions lie in mind-set change and capacity building for communities and corporates. I am also passionate about awareness building when it comes to habitat and species protection. My conservation interests also lie in human-wildlife conflict as well as carnivore conservation efforts.

What’s the best advice you’ve ever received, and who did it come from? The best advice I have received is that they key to success is simple: Show up and be willing! The advice came from my husband, and I think Jordan Peterson said it.

What is your go-to feel-good song? ‘Crazy’ by Lost Frequencies and Zonderling.

Careers in Conservation – Alekzandra Szewczuk

Careers in Conservation – Alekzandra Szewczuk

CAREERS IN CONSERVATION – Alekzandra Szewczuk

Al is a Spatial Biodiversity Analyst with the EWT’s National Biodiversity and Business Network. Here is a little bit about Al’s journey to a career in conservation.

Job Title: Spatial Biodiversity Analyst

Location: Johannesburg

Where did you grow up? Paulshof, Johannesburg

What are your hobbies/things you like to do in your spare time? Gardening, photography, reading, killer sudoku puzzles.

Any pets?  A miniature dachshund, Lady (AKA Princess Ladybug). 

Favourite animal and why: Elephant- I have such admiration for these gentle giants and I am fascinated by their emotional intelligence.

Favourite food?  Homemade pizza (My mum’s Italian grandmothers’ recipe)

Pet peeve? Pointing with cutlery

Why did you want to work for the EWT? I want to be able to apply my skillset in a way that makes a meaningful contribution to conservation and biodiversity and hopefully be rewarded by seeing some positive outcomes. 

What are you passionate about? My passion is to foster a sustainable relationship between people and the environment through science, environmental awareness, and education, especially among youth.

What’s the best advice you’ve ever received, and who did it come from? ‘’No one can take away the knowledge you acquire’’- My late Dziadziu, Jan Szewczuk

What is your go-to feel-good song? Proud Mary – Tina Turner, never fails.

Careers in Conservation – Kyle Walker

Careers in Conservation – Kyle Walker

CAREERS IN CONSERVATION – Kyle Walker

Kyle is the wildlife poisoning and snare response field officer with the EWT’s Birds of Prey Programme and Carnivore Conservation Programme. Here is a little bit about Kyle’s journey to a career in conservation.

Job Title: Wildlife poisoning and snare response field officer for BoPP and CCP

Location: I am based in Phalaborwa, Limpopo.

Where did you grow up? Chartwell, Johannesburg

What are your hobbies/things you like to do in your spare time? I fix antique mechanical clocks and play tennis, squash and netball.

Any pets? No pets with me now, but over the past year and a half I helped foster a guide dog puppy, who is now in her third week of guide dog training. I grew up with lots of dogs in the house.

Favourite animal and why:  I can’t name a favourite. An Elephant can’t stoop from a cliff at over 200 Kph and a Taita Falcon can’t make you feel completely insignificant and helpless. I appreciate all animals for their unique qualities as well as the role they fulfil in their environment.

Favourite food? Spaghetti Bolognese

Pet peeve? All forms of corruption.

Why did you want to work for the EWT? I believe the quality of work going in to protecting critically endangered species is second to none. I applied for this role with the belief that I too could add value to species conservation through hands-on work and engagement in the field.

What are you passionate about? I am passionate about all forms of nature, but my heart does sway towards birds and particularly raptors. I find motivation through data collection and am driven to prevent loss of life. I am also passionate about using my hands to create and fix mechanical things, although this is more of a hobby.

What’s the best advice you’ve ever received, and who did it come from? Go study Nature Conservation, you’re going to love it! – My Father (he was right).

What is your go-to feel-good song? Heart of the dancer – Juluka, Johnny Clegg
The Boxer – Simon and Garfunkel
Don’t stop believin’ – Journey
Bohemian Rhapsody – Queen

Careers in Conservation – Dave McCullough

Careers in Conservation – Dave McCullough

CAREERS IN CONSERVATION – Dave McCullough

Dave is the Chief Financial Officer for the EWT. Here is a little bit about Dave’s journey to a career in conservation with the EWT.

Job Title:CFO

What do you do in your day-day work? Financial reporting to support the various business units. Financial strategy for the organisation

Location:Midrand Johannesburg EWT Conservation Campus

Where did you grow up? JHB

What are your hobbies/things you like to do in your spare time?Trail running, listening to alternative indie rock, spending time with family.

Any pets? Two old Staffies

Favourite animal and why:  Leopard – pure beauty and power

Favourite food? Steak, Egg and Chips

Pet peeve? Racism and rudeness

Why did you want to work for the EWT? I wanted to be a game ranger when I was at school. After 20 years in the advertising game, I realised I was incongruent in the industry I was working in and the way I felt about the state of the planet – I needed to switch industry and find a more meaningful and purposeful role.

What excites you about this new position? I am deeply concerned about how we are destroying nature; this position gives me an opportunity to directly make a difference to the state of the planet.

What are you passionate about? Wellbeing, creating balance in the way we live.

What’s the best advice you’ve ever received, and who did it come from? Meditate and practice mindfulness daily – Eckhardt Tolle

What is your go-to feel-good song? Just say Yes – Snow Patrol

Careers in Conservation – Luvuyo Kani

Careers in Conservation – Luvuyo Kani

CAREERS IN CONSERVATION – Luvuyo Kani

Luvuyo is a GIS Specialist with the EWT’s National Biodiversity and Business Network. Here is a little bit about Luvuyo’s journey to a career in conservation.

Job Title: GIS Specialist

Location:Midrand Johannesburg EWT Conservation Campus

Where did you grow up? ? Gqeberha (formerly known as Port Elizabeth)

What are your hobbies/things you like to do in your spare time? I generally enjoy gaming and long walks on the beach but, as you might imagine, I haven’t been doing much of that since moving to GP.

Any pets? No, but I am definitely a dog lover. I’m hoping to get one as soon as I have a good space for it to live comfortably.

Favourite animal and why: Definitely leopards, because of their majestic beauty and strength. I am also always intrigued by their much less social lifestyle (relative to other big cats). I guess the fact that it so difficult to spot them makes me appreciate them more.

Favourite food? I don’t have a strong favourite, but a strong contender is any meal I have with loved ones.

Pet peeve? I don’t have a particularly strong one, but I’d say inconsiderate behaviour.

Why did you want to work for the EWT? I’ve always seen EWT as one of the few organisations that have a good balance between environmental science and research and solid practical implementation on the ground. I’ve always wanted to be part of such an organisation.

What are you passionate about? I am passionate about the environment and the multitude of services it provides to us as humans. I am also very passionate about turning steadfast, often theoretical, environmental science and research into meaningful practical solutions on the ground for both people and the environment.

What’s the best advice you’ve ever received, and who did it come from? Fail fast, fail forward. Learn by doing.

What is your go-to feel-good song? Bank on it by Burna Boy

Careers in Conservation – Eugene Greyling

Careers in Conservation – Eugene Greyling

CAREERS IN CONSERVATION – Eugene Greyling

Eugene is a Field Officer with the EWT’s Carnivore Conservation Programme. Here is a little bit about Eugene’s journey to a career in conservation with the EWT.

Job Title: Carnivore Conservation Field Officer

What do you do in your day-day work? No day is quite the same. I am primarily assigned to the Range Expansion Project. My responsibilities vary between looking after predators in the EWT Holding Facility/Boma, community consultation and relations, assisting and advising with relocations, post-release monitoring of translocated predators, partner engagement, and a wide variety of other interesting tasks.     

Location: Welgevonden Game Reserve, Waterberg, Limpopo

Where did you grow up? I have been privileged enough to experience best of both worlds – I was raised in the farming community of Oudtshoorn in the Western Cape but moved to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates during my early high school years. 

What are your hobbies/things you like to do in your spare time? I volunteer as a wildland fire practitioner and enjoy working with snakes. I also never say no to a good road trip or hike, and travel as often as possible.

Any pets? I wish, if only I was allowed to have any. That’s the trade-off to living on a nature reserve I suppose.

Favourite animal and why:  I’ve spent the last couple of years working on leopards, so I think it is fair to say that I have developed a soft spot for them. However, I think this might be a slightly unfair question to ask any wildlife ecologist. 😃

Favourite food? There are very few things that can compete with a good butter chicken in my opinion. Of course, there is always a proper braai as well.

Pet peeve?  When people throw rubbish out of their car window, or anywhere else for that matter, with the expectation that someone else will clean up after them. Also, weak coffee.

Why did you want to work for the EWT? As a well-established organisation that sets the standard in innovation, research, and well-informed applied conservation across Southern Africa, I believe there is no better environment than the EWT to learn from, develop within, and contribute to as an early-career wildlife ecologist. With a holistic, integrated strategy that recognises not only species, but also landscapes and the people that share in those landscapes, the approach of the EWT is something I deeply resonate with. Ultimately, I believe that the EWT provides the ideal platform to be able to remain curious and to make a real collaborative difference, and that is what I am here for.

What are you passionate about?  I am convinced that every person has the ability within to influence those around them, be that by means of real, honest conversation or by virtue of exemplary actions. Often, I find myself standing in awe of the long-term impact that individual change can have on a community, and in turn on the natural environment. Therefore, I enjoy seeing people grow and develop and being part of that process, even though my first love has always been Mother Nature. During the past few years of studies and time spent volunteering with several conservation organisations, I came to realise that the biggest long-term influence we can have is by targeted education in communities where we can plant a seed that will drive local change from within – tackling problems using solutions crafted together that empower and benefit stakeholders for the greater good of the ecosystem. After all, conservation is about people. In order to ensure that we make a positive impact as conservationists, be that by means of education or effective adaptive management of landscapes that facilitate biological diversity, we need to be sure that the change we instil is accurately informed. Thus, I find myself in the realm of ecological research, with a particular passion for animal behaviour and socio-ecological dynamics, including human-wildlife coexistence and spatial ecology.

What’s the best advice you’ve ever received, and who did it come from? “Listen with the intent to understand, not to respond” – I believe it is a quote by Stephen Covey, but my granddad was the one to share this wisdom with me.

What is your go-to feel-good song? Bubble Toes by Jack Johnson

What excites you about this new position? Every day out in the field brings new and exciting challenges – it never becomes monotonous. Having the privilege to be able to learn from a great group of experienced colleagues, as well as the opportunity to travel as part of my work, is also very exciting.